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Practice makes perfect.

That's a mantra every athlete knows by heart. It's the grit behind every serve, the power behind each jump, and the precision in every pass. In volleyball, mastering your passing game isn't just about repetitive drills; it's about evolving your technique through thoughtful practice, immediate feedback, and tactical adjustments. Whether you're drilling solo, partnering up, or part of a team session, integrating specific passing exercises can significantly boost your ball control, accuracy, and footwork.

Let's dive into three effective passing drills tailored to sharpen those skills. Imagine them not just as exercises, but as your toolkit for elevating your game. These drills are designed for volleyball players at any level, offering the versatility to practice in various settings.

Make the right pass under pressure.

1 Passing Ladder Drill

Passing Ladders are a staple drill in any volleyball training regimen, especially because they mimic the pressure in the real game. You can start this with either 8 balls or stretching it to 10, either way passing ladders serve as a pivotal exercise to improve consistency and accuracy in your passing. It's a reliable way to recognize that excelling in one aspect doesn't guarantee success in the other. A player might be exceptional at passing but struggle with serving, and vice versa. Passing ladders provide a comprehensive assessment of both skills.

1 Set Up 

• Divide the court into two halves.
• Position one server on each side of the net.
• Place a passer on the opposite side of the net, directly across from the server.

2 Execution

• The server serves eight to ten consecutive balls to the passer.
• The number of balls served may vary based on time constraints and the number of participants.
• The passer aims to successfully receive the serve and pass it back/out.
• The passer must continuously make the passes with accuracy and recover to make the subsequent passes.
• Repeat the same pattern on the other side of the court.

3 Scoring

• Establish a scoring system for both the passer and the server.
• Rules are quite flexible; Determine whether missed serves count against the passer or be disregarded
• Solid passes earn points for the passer.
• This drill helps players refine their serve-receive skills and develop consistency in passing. Therefore aim for 5 passes per participant for efficiency.
• Replay serves that seem luck-based for a fair assessment.

The Right Equipment For Drills

To get started, try the training volleyballs that are leather or composite for more competitive training. At Marchants, there is a range of training volleyballs to choose from.

The Wilson Impact volleyballs are the ideal ones that feature official size and weight, perfect for ages 13 and up. Its durable construction ensures it maintains shape match after match. Designed for indoor play, it offers a perfect touch and optimal control with a high-performance composite leather cover and specialized V-tec™ seams.

If you're looking for competitive play, the NFHS-approved Baden Perfection Leather Volleyball offers durability, balanced weight, and shape retention with its top-grade leather, Stealth Soft-Valve, and special adhesives.

Another great option is the FIVB Approved Flistatec Volleyball by Molten. It features FLISTATEC Technology for enhanced control, a premium microfiber cover for better grip, and improved visibility, endorsed by FIVB, NORCECA, and CCAA for elite indoor play.

Alternatively, this makes a fun activity even for recreational use or beginners. If you’re most likely outdoors playing, Marchants recommends starting with the rubber volleyballs by Baden and Concorde, as they are durable and weather-resistant. But they can be harder on the wrist and less comfortable for frequent players.

Spatial awareness and anticipating incoming serves.

2 Butterfly Passing Drill

The Drill is separated into five stages to improve the player's ball control, speed, footwork, and spatial awareness. This drill has a reputation for keeping the game's momentum going, keeping you on your toes and engaged. Its versatility and comprehensiveness make it popular among coaches for warm-ups and practice sessions as well.

The drill gets its name from the way players move, which looks like a butterfly's wings. It's all about constant movement, vibrant energy, direct player contact, and a lot of running. In the drill, you will be continuously changing roles and positions having to twist and turn in multiple directors. It is a great way to improve your stamina while learning to anticipate passes, improve on-game communication, and react promptly. Let’s get into the mechanics of the drill:

SV - Server

P - Passer

T - Target

1 Set Up

• Form two lines: one for servers and one for passers.
• Passers waiting to enter the drill stand off the sideline.

2 Execution

Server:

• Say, Player 1 is now the server and serves the ball over the court to the general area of the passer.
• After about 5 passes, the server rotates out and joins the end of the passing line on the opposite side of the court.

Passer:

• Player 1 who is now the passer, receives the serve (from say, Player 2) and passes to the target (usually a setter).
• As the ‘passer,’ they would need to pass the ball with control and accuracy until they complete five successful passes
• After, the passer (Player 1) has two options after passing:

1. Replace the target, and the target goes to the end of the serving line on their side. Alternatively,
2. If there’s a true setter in the setter spot, the passer goes to the end of the serving line on her side.

Target

• The next server in line receives a ball rolled from the target (Setter)
• The next serve is put into play as soon as the new passer is on the court.

3 Scoring

• Count only good passes as points to make the drill more challenging

Optimizing this drill requires having the right equipment. A high-quality net is essential for realistic gameplay. You can find all the necessary items to set up your net at Marchant's. They offer net designs in several variations including Nylon, Steel Cable, and Kevlar Nets. You can select the right one based on the type of environment, from beach volleyball to competitive and indoor training. This will make your practice sessions more effective and professional.

30' International Steel Cable Volleyball Net

MacGregor Sport Volleyball Net 32'

Beach Volleyball Net - 30' Steel Cable

Bownet VolleyBall Warm-Up Net

Coaches should use a whistle to manage the drill efficiently. If playing in teams, uniforms can help identify players quickly and maintain organization. Encourage the players to put out their best effort on every pass, operate as a team, and communicate openly during the practice.

Wizzball - The Unique Shaped Whistle - Royal Blue

Training at your own pace and convenience.

3 Wall Passing Drill

If you are looking to do some solo training with the convenience of location, no equipment and teammates, the Wall Passing Drill is a brilliant drill to try out. By working independently, one may focus on their technique and perform the movement repeatedly. To initiate the drill, the player starts by doing basic linear passes against the wall and progressing to more complex drills including non-linear and reactive passing.

1 Set Up

• Let the players line up facing a solid wall surface.

2 Execution

• Linear Passing: Players start by passing the ball straight to the wall, aiming to maintain low shoulders, a consistent tempo, and a stretched-out platform, passing right in front of their center.
• Non-Linear Passing: Alternatively, players can pass the ball to the left and right sides, outside the body line, to simulate real-game scenarios where players must adjust to the ball's direction.
• Next, a variation exercise is performed, where 25 passes are done to the left side and 25 to the right side.
• Transitioning from dynamic to static, players practice passing while standing, focusing on maintaining the correct posture and stretching the platform.
• Reactive Passing: One player throws or serves the ball towards another who must react, maintain posture, and pass the ball back against the wall.
• Players do 5 to 10 repetitions each, focusing on foot movement and calling the ball.

3 Scoring

• The drill doesn't involve a scoring system per se but focuses on the quality and consistency of passes.
• The progression from simpler to more complex drills helps players improve their passing technique, reaction time, and adaptability on the court.

Supportive Gear to Sharpen Skills

The Bownet Volleyball Setting Net is a fantastic addition to Marchants' range of supportive equipment. It's a specialized training tool that can really help players enhance their setting skills and provide great target practice.

Bownet Volleyball Setting Net

The Volleyball Spike Trainer and its collapsible version are designed to help players master spiking techniques. The Spike Trainer holds the ball securely in place, allowing the attacker to develop form and hitting techniques. Similarly, the Volleyball Spike Challenger is the ultimate spike training device that improves players' hitting skills and vertical jump capabilities. Its adjustable height accommodates players of all skill levels. On the other hand, the Tandem Volleyball Rectangular Blocking Pad is used by a partner to simulate an opponent's block. This allows another player to practice spiking technique against a difficult opponent, conditioning spikers to time and plan against a realistic barrier.

Volleyball Spike Trainer

Volleyball Spike Challenger

Volleyball Rectangular Blocking Pad

Together, these tools form a comprehensive training suite that enables players to condition their techniques, increase their agility, and ultimately elevate their volleyball control.

Aim to ‘Play with Purpose’

Source: Canva

Remember to make every practice session count. These drills should be done frequently and intentionally on an ongoing basis.

Incorporating these and other volleyball drills into your regular practice is more than just prepping your team for their next game. It's about laying down the foundation for their continuous growth and achievements. Whether you're working with beginners or seasoned players, there's something here for everyone. These drills can be altered into many variations, from the basics to more advanced techniques, offering plenty of room for players to refine their skills. Choose the drills that best fit your team's needs and jump into a training session that's not only effective but also fun!